Prisoner involved in brawl with guards is 'brain dead'

A PRISONER involved in a brawl with guards at Yatala Labour Prison in Adelaide's north is "brain dead" and "has no life left", his family has said on social media.

Correctional Services yesterday said there was a violent altercation between a prisoner and guards on Friday and that the prisoner suffered an unspecified medical emergency while being brought under control.

Relatives of Wayne Morrison have taken to social media, saying the 29-year-old is in a coma at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

On Facebook, Latoya Rule said her brother was an Aboriginal artist, who loved to paint and play the guitar.

"My brother was a non-violent fisherman and artist ... this is beyond heartbreaking," Ms Rule wrote on Facebook.